North Central alumna comments on Haiti relief efforts by American Red Cross

Jan. 20, 2010--Jackie Mitchell, a 1999 graduate of North Central College, is praising people who are helping with relief efforts in Haiti through her role as director of marketing and communications with the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago.

"I think a lot of the Red Cross volunteers who were volunteering yesterday expected it to be sad and very very difficult, and what we found was quite the contrary. They were full of life and energy and joy, and while there were a few tragic stories in the midst, most of them were happy to be in a place where they were safe."

While a student at North Central College, Mitchell majored in English literature and was a College Scholar honors student. She wrote for the College literary magazine, "North Central Review," and received many awards, including the College's Outstanding Creative Writing Student Award her senior year and two study abroad grants to study travel writing. Formerly of Marseilles, Ill., Mitchell lives in Chicago.

About North Central College
Founded in 1861, North Central College is an independent, comprehensive college of the liberal arts and sciences that offers more than 55 undergraduate majors and graduate programming in six areas. Located in Naperville, Ill., North Central is recognized as one of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report, which cites it as one of the top six schools in the Midwest for "Strong Commitment to Undergraduate Teaching"; as "a college for high-achieving students" by Peterson's Competitive Colleges; and as one of "America's Best Colleges" by Forbes. For more information about North Central College visit www.northcentralcollege.edu.